[Archived] Lightning Strike Causes Damage to Home at Two Alarm Fire

 JUNE 17, 2011

 News Highlights

•  A house in the 200 block of Park Road was struck by lightning at approximately 12:19 am.
• Fire Units arrived on the scene and noted heavy smoke coming from the home.
• Firefighters discovered fire on all three floors of the home.
• Smoke alarms in the home alerted the occupant to the fire prior to the arrival of the fire department.
• Firefighters initiated a coordinated attack of the fire on all three floors.
• Fire Damage is estimated at $300,000.
• Investigators determined the cause of the fire was due to a lightning strike.
• No injuries were reported.
• One occupant was relocated as a result of damage sustained to the home from the fire.

On June 17, 2011, at approximately 12:19 AM units from the Alexandria Fire Department, assisted by Arlington and Fairfax County fire departments responded to a report of a gas fireplace on fire in the 200 block of Park Road.   Firefighters arriving on the scene reported heavy smoke coming from the home.  Firefighters entered the home and encountered fire on three floors of the residence.   A second alarm was requested to assist on scene fire crews who initiated a coordinated attack of the fires.   The fires were quickly extinguished; however fire crews remained on the scene for several more hours doing an extensive search of interior wall, attic and the concealed floor spaces on the first and second floors for additional smoldering fires.

One occupant was home at the time of the fire and was able to escape the residence after being alerted of the fire by in home smoke alarms.  Damage is estimated at $300,000.

Fire investigators determined the fire started after lighting struck an exterior chimney igniting additional building components as it traveled through an interior wall spaces from the attic to the lower floors of the home.

For more information, contact Robert Rodriguez, Chief Fire Marshal / Community Services Officer, Alexandria Fire Department, at 703.746.5217 or robert.rodriguez@alexandriava.gov

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